I've always felt a bit ambivalent over what to tell people my role is, publish on the site, or print on my business cards as my title for my blog. Since it is essentially self-declared, I don't want to give myself too boasting of a title that may sound outlandish, or, on the other hand, something too modest. I've settled in at “editor”, but was curious to find out what my fellow bloggers have set as their titles and the reasoning behind them.
Nancy Houlmont, Beauty411
“To be honest, when I first started blogging, most of the beauty bloggers I knew titled themselves as “editor”, so I used that as a guide. I still use “editor” today, although the blogging world has evolved so much, that I'm not sure “editor” does our role justice. Now we're influencers, social media specialists, bloggers, writers and yes, editors.
If someone can come up with a title that encompasses all of that, I would be tempted to use it!”
Michelle Mismas, All Lacquered Up
“When I first started blogging seven years ago, we all called ourselves bloggers/founders, because that's what we were/are. Then it shifted. It's as if we became embarrassed by the title. We had to call ourselves something else, like editor-in-chief, to appear more legitimate next to the magazine people. Now, I feel like it's coming full circle as I'm proud to be a blogger. Us veterans are pioneers in this space and shouldn't be embarrassed by that.
While the term “influencer” is a fair title and becoming more commonplace, at the end of the day, I write a blog, therefore I am a “blogger.”
Dianna Baros, The Budget Babe
“After all these years, when I'm asked to provide a bio or byline – heck, even when I'm trying to figure out what to put in my email signature –
I struggle to find one word that says it all.
I feel most comfortable saying I'm “the blogger behind TheBudgetBabe.com” or “the creator of TheBudgetBabe.com” because I'm not a conventional writer or editor, and I want my title to be an accurate description of what I do. But these days I'm going with editor-in-chief because I have some lovely & talented interns contributing to the blog, so my role has shifted somewhat. Maybe I should just invent a word…?”
Ashley Robison, Dramatis Personae
“I always call myself a writer, because that's always been my biggest focus & love. I'm a writer: I love the written word, and it's what motivates me to work beyond everything else. While I'm okay with using it, I don't prefer Blogger – it implies a lack of sense, professionalism, and commitment that I think most bloggers DO have.
I can't commit to titles like editor-in-chief because… it implies a “bigness” that I don't have!
It makes me feel I should be managing others, creating content and editorials based on a theme, a season, etc… creating with a sense of cohesion, like a magazine would have!”
Are you founder, writer, blogger, or editor-in-chief?
What title have you given yourself, and why?
I prefer expressive writer/blogger. I think ‘Editor’ or ‘Editor in chief’ is something that people should use if they are properly educated or experienced in the field of writing and editing. If I was a Journalist with education in Mass communication I would definitely write ‘Editor in chief’. Its like taking photographs with an iPhone and calling yourself a Professional photographer.
Acknowledgement (or lack there of) from a university should not deter someone from branding themselves an “Editor-In-Chief.” A giant misconception is that you need a formal education in order to make an impact in your chosen field. That said, blogging has flipped that notion upside down.
Though I do agree with one bit. Posting selfies on Instagram does not make you a model, just as taking those images for Instagram does not make you a professional photographer.
A title?!? It’s just me and my blog…no title necessary!!
Editor-in-chief definitely implies that you’ve got people working for you and your work involves a lot of supervising and handling and things that I currently just don’t do. I’m definitely an amalgam of things that are hard to put a single name to; on my business cards and bios, I tend to list them all, though I have a word to sum them all up and that word is “creative.” I’m not sure blogger and entrepreneur are encompassed by that, but creative does seem to me to encompass me as a photographer, graphic designer, fashion designer, writer, seamstress and model, which is a start.
I’ve been using “webitor-in-chief” or “founder and webitor-in-chief” since I launched Prospere Magazine, the predecessor to DelectablyChic!. I do have other writers who contribute, so I guess it’s okay. 🙂 Most people find it “cute” anyway.
A+ for creativity.
I love the word – great culmination of the roles!
I love how Dianna and my quotes almost work in tandem – she’s taken on Editor in Chief because of the shift in role & her oversight of interns… and I won’t take it on because I haven’t done so!
Yeah, I totally agree, I think you two explained and complimented each other’s perfectly! 🙂
Loving these ideas. I am still at the beginning but your suggestions help me very much! 🙂 Thank you!
ANDREA VYTLACILOVA blog
I don’t earn much from blogging, it’s not my full time job. For some reason I shy away from the term ‘blogger’, I just don’t like it for some reason. I have no idea what I would class myself as. I have a blog, but I don’t think of myself as a blogger.
Corinne x
www.skinnedcartree.com
I usually say blogger but administrator seems appropriate too.
I use freelance writer/photographer/blogger. Blogging is my main thing, but I do get photography and writing gigs off the back of it. I don’t like blogger on its own as anyone can be a blogger – they could also not be particularly serious about it. Editor-in-chief feels a bit pretentious to me. A title like that should be something you have worked for and awarded – rather than given to yourself.
I never fancied myself a blogger or writer rather. I moniker myself as curator, for I curate the student and graduate collections presented on my webzine as well as curate a particular atmosphere and experience directly with my readers. It appears to be an all encompassing term that I gladly take up the banner for.
I think the nut of our issue is that not any one blog is alike, and therefore, it is difficult to collectively call ourselves something. Jessica, your title choice caught my eye; it avoids pretension, and emits professionalism. Although this works wonderfully for your site and those similar, it gives the impression that one is collecting and presenting only. Sites that produce original content, like mine need something that indicates such; I’ve settled on “Creative Director”. I spend a lot of my time organizing, producing, and directing the shoots and written content that appear on my website, so it suits my functions well. For those that don’t fall into the categories of “Curator” or “Creative Director”, I think the most important question to ask yourself is “What do I spend my time doing?”. Answer, and you’ll find a title that suits (and hopefully as succinctly as Jessica has).
Anneke
I’d say I’m a blogger for now. But if hopefully this venture turns big, I would go ahead with the title “editor in chief” of my online-magazine-wanna-be.
Thanks for writing this interesting piece!
I loved this! I titled myself Founder, Owner, and Blogger. I know some that have coined themselves fashion expert and depending on how much experience and education they may have, it works.
I would eventually like to be Editor or Writer but like some have expressed, I want to be sure that I can entirely fill those shoes. However, I strongly believe we should name and call out what we envision ourselves as if we’ve already received it.
There is nothing wrong with Blogger in my opinion, and anyone who deems it lesser than is simply feeding in to those who know nothing of it or have a lack of knowledge concerning it. It doesn’t have the best description due to assumptions.
-Swanky
I call my self “blogger and founder of Sens du Style” because that’s what i am for now. I think it sums up very well and has enough credibility.
I like to call myself “blogger”, “Founder” and “author” of amodachic 🙂 simple & true to who I feel I am.
I love this. I’ve never really called myself ‘editor-in-chief’ I’ve always called myself a ‘blogger’ just that. I have weekly columnists/contributors so some call me editor and some just call the ‘the blogger behind’ or just ‘founder of’
My blog has is run by a team where we each have different roles. On paper I’m the editorial director, since I direct the content, vision and team for our blog and forthcoming magazine. But when people ask me I just say I’m a blogger and keep it moving. For me it’s up to your business, your personal brand and what you feel comfortable with.
Shoot. This is hard, and I’ve wondered myself. To me, the term “Editor” while legalstic, it doesn’t hold up if you get 5,000 page views a month and earn nothing.
I think it would also depend on where you are using the chosen term to describe yourself. “Blogger” on a resume is not going to be adequate and will accomplish nothing, it would be the same as mentioning a hobby. Actually, it is only a hobby until you begin to earn or get sponsored. That, friends, is how the world sees it.
If…you plan on publishing a book (as I do) and you actually write articles, the term “freelance writer” would apply. A successful blog creator on many levels, should probably use a term such as “Social Media Influencer” or simply “Creator of Luxor Living and Style” and if the site is successful, your work will speak for itself.
I call myself the Founder and Editor of streetmeetsstyle.co.uk. It’s so much easier for me because it is true and it covers the majority of things I do for my blog and business.